Floor Statements

Mr. President. In today's economy, approximately 80 percent of jobs require some form of postsecondary education or training beyond the high school level. The National Skills Coalition estimates that nearly half of all job openings between now and 2022 will be middle skill jobs that require post high school training, but not a four-year degree. While the number of students pursing postsecondary education is growing, the supply of skilled workers still falls short of industry demand. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics 7.3 million U.S. jobs are currently vacant in part because of a shortage of qualified workers.

Our Federal higher education policy must be modernized to meet the needs of students and employers. Under current law, Pell Grants--needs- based grants for low-income and working students--can only be awarded to students attending programs that are over 600 clock hours or at least 15 weeks in length. These grants cannot be used to offset the cost of targeted, short-term training programs offered at community and technical colleges that help students obtain employer-recognized credentials. When it comes to higher education, Federal policies need to support the demands of the changing labor market by increasing access to career pathways that align with industry demand. According to the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, shorter-term educational investments pay off--the average postsecondary certificate holder has 30 percent higher lifetime earnings than individuals with only a high school diploma.

Today, I am pleased to introduce with my colleague, Senator Portman, the Jumpstart Our Businesses by Supporting Students or JOBS Act. The JOBS Act would close the skills gap by extending Pell Grant eligibility to high-quality, short-term job training programs offered at community colleges and other public institutions, so workers can afford the instruction they need to be successful in today's job market. Under the legislation, Pell-eligible job training programs are defined as those providing at least 150 clock hours of instruction time over a minimum of 8 weeks. Eligible job training programs must also provide students with licenses, certifications, or credentials that meet the hiring requirements of multiple employers in the field for which the job training is offered.

The JOBS Act also ensures that students enrolling in Pell-eligible short-term programs are earning high-quality postsecondary credentials by requiring that the credentials meet the standards of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, are recognized by industry or sector partnerships, and align with the skill needs of industries in States or local economies. Job training programs under this Act must also be evaluated by an accreditor and the State workforce board for quality and outcomes. The Virginia Community College System has identified approximately 50 programs that would benefit from the JOBS Act including in the fields of manufacturing, architecture/construction, energy, health care, information technology, transportation, and business management and administration.

The JOBS Act is a commonsense, bipartisan bill that would help workers and employers succeed in today's economy. As Congress works to reauthorize the Higher Education Act, I am hopeful that my colleagues will join me in advocating for Pell Grants to be made available to individuals enrolling in high-quality, short-term training programs that lead to industry-recognized credentials and good paying jobs.

Mr. President. As career opportunities and the requisite skills for success adapt to the demands of the 21st century, so too must the instruction and preparation students receive. Educators are tasked with designing educational experiences that rise to the rigorous State academic standards and reflect the needs and interests of our Nation's diverse student population. We have become accustomed to welcoming the start of the school year with news headlines describing overfilled classrooms and districts struggling to fill teacher vacancies. Though the challenge of teacher and principal shortages is felt broadly across the country, with a particularly acute impact on our rural communities, it is an issue we can remedy.

The reauthorization of the Higher Education Act is an opportunity to strengthen the preparation and leaders and to further support State efforts to successfully implement the Every Student Succeeds Act. It is also an opportunity to address the fact that schools in high-need communities are often staffed by a revolving door of underprepared and inexperienced teachers who are unable to meet students' needs. This in part due to State teacher shortages.

This is why I am pleased to introduce today with my colleague Senator Collins, the Preparing and Retaining Education Professionals Act, or PREP Act. As schools across our Nation continue to face growing class sizes, many are struggling with a shortage of qualified teachers. Rural communities in particular are experiencing a dearth of teachers equipped to meet their growing needs. The PREP Act aims to create high- quality teacher residency programs to develop a diverse workforce that is well-prepared to provide the educational opportunities students need to be successful in the 21st century.

More specifically, this legislation would expand the definition of ``high need'' districts under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to include those experiencing teacher shortages in rural communities and in areas such as special education, English language, science, technology, engineering, math, and CTE, to allow for access to additional support and improvement. It would also encourage school districts to establish partnerships with local community colleges and universities to ensure their education programs are developing future teachers in content areas where there is currently a shortage of educators. It would increase access to teacher and school leader residency programs and preparation training while requiring States to identify areas of teacher or leader shortages by subject across public schools and use that data to target their efforts. Additionally, the PREP Act bolsters support for teacher preparation programs at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) or Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to invest in a diverse and well-prepared educator workforce.

Improving our Nation's educational system is contingent on our ability to prepare, support, and retain quality educators. Research shows that better prepared teachers stay longer in the profession and are more likely to remain in their roles and positively impact young people and their communities. As we look to reauthorize the Higher Education Act, I hope that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle see the PREP Act as a commonsense opportunity to help ensure that students in every zip code across the country have the well-prepared teachers and school leaders they deserve.

Mr. President. As career opportunities and the requisite skills for success adapt to the demands of the 21st century, so too must the instruction and preparation students receive. Educators are tasked with designing educational experiences that rise to the rigorous State academic standards and reflect the needs and interests of our Nation's diverse student population. We have become accustomed to welcoming the start of the school year with news headlines describing overfilled classrooms and districts struggling to fill teacher vacancies. Though the challenge of teacher and principal shortages is felt broadly across the country, with a particularly acute impact on our rural communities, it is an issue we can remedy.

The reauthorization of the Higher Education Act is an opportunity to strengthen the preparation and leaders and to further support State efforts to successfully implement the Every Student Succeeds Act. It is also an opportunity to address the fact that schools in high-need communities are often staffed by a revolving door of underprepared and inexperienced teachers who are unable to meet students' needs. This in part due to State teacher shortages.

This is why I am pleased to introduce today with my colleague Senator Collins, the Preparing and Retaining Education Professionals Act, or PREP Act. As schools across our Nation continue to face growing class sizes, many are struggling with a shortage of qualified teachers. Rural communities in particular are experiencing a dearth of teachers equipped to meet their growing needs. The PREP Act aims to create high- quality teacher residency programs to develop a diverse workforce that is well-prepared to provide the educational opportunities students need to be successful in the 21st century.

More specifically, this legislation would expand the definition of ``high need'' districts under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to include those experiencing teacher shortages in rural communities and in areas such as special education, English language, science, technology, engineering, math, and CTE, to allow for access to additional support and improvement. It would also encourage school districts to establish partnerships with local community colleges and universities to ensure their education programs are developing future teachers in content areas where there is currently a shortage of educators. It would increase access to teacher and school leader residency programs and preparation training while requiring States to identify areas of teacher or leader shortages by subject across public schools and use that data to target their efforts. Additionally, the PREP Act bolsters support for teacher preparation programs at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) or Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to invest in a diverse and well-prepared educator workforce.

Improving our Nation's educational system is contingent on our ability to prepare, support, and retain quality educators. Research shows that better prepared teachers stay longer in the profession and are more likely to remain in their roles and positively impact young people and their communities. As we look to reauthorize the Higher Education Act, I hope that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle see the PREP Act as a commonsense opportunity to help ensure that students in every zip code across the country have the well-prepared teachers and school leaders they deserve.

Madam President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President. I am pleased today to introduce in the Senate, with my colleague Senator Young, a bipartisan resolution to repeal the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iraq. This legislation will formally end the authorizations for the Gulf and Iraq wars--28 and 17 years, respectively, after these AUMFs were first passed, reasserting Congress' vital role in not only declaring wars, but in ending them. The repeal of these authorizations also recognizes the strong partnership the United States now has with a sovereign, democratic Iraq.

The United States is no longer at war with Iraq and our legal frameworks should reflect this reality as much as our policy frameworks, to include the Strategic Framework Agreement that Iraq and the United States signed in November 2008, which affirms the establishment of a long-term relationship of cooperation and friendship, based on the principle of equality in

sovereignty and the rights and principles that are enshrined in the United Nations Charter.

Since 2014, U.S. troops have been in Iraq, alongside Iraqi forces, at the Government of Iraq's request for assistance in combating the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Current Administration officials, including Secretary Pompeo, Acting Secretary Shanahan and Commander of the United States Central Command, General Votel, have routinely emphasized that United States military forces remain in Iraq at the invitation of the Government of Iraq and in respect to its sovereignty. Recent presidential administrations have maintained that the 2002 AUMF only serves to ``reinforce'' any legal authority to combat ISIS provided by the 2001 AUMF and is not independently required to authorize any such activities. As such, repealing the 1991 AUMF and the 2002 AUMF would not affect ongoing United States military operations. It would however, prevent the future misuse of the Gulf and Iraq War authorizations and strengthen Congressional oversight over war powers.

It is past time to repeal both AUMFs and formally mark the end of the Iraq War that resulted in a devastating loss of life and wounded tens of thousands of our troops. It makes no sense that two AUMFs remain in place against a country that is now a close ally. They serve no operational purpose, run the risk of future abuse by the President, and help keep our nation at permanent war.

I am proud to join Senator Young in introducing a bill to repeal these outdated and unnecessary authorizations. I hope we can continue to find bipartisan compromise on these tough war power issues to include revising and replacing the 2001 AUMF.

Mr. President. I am pleased today to introduce in the Senate, with my colleague Senator Young, a bipartisan resolution to repeal the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iraq. This legislation will formally end the authorizations for the Gulf and Iraq wars--28 and 17 years, respectively, after these AUMFs were first passed, reasserting Congress' vital role in not only declaring wars, but in ending them. The repeal of these authorizations also recognizes the strong partnership the United States now has with a sovereign, democratic Iraq.

The United States is no longer at war with Iraq and our legal frameworks should reflect this reality as much as our policy frameworks, to include the Strategic Framework Agreement that Iraq and the United States signed in November 2008, which affirms the establishment of a long-term relationship of cooperation and friendship, based on the principle of equality in

sovereignty and the rights and principles that are enshrined in the United Nations Charter.

Since 2014, U.S. troops have been in Iraq, alongside Iraqi forces, at the Government of Iraq's request for assistance in combating the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Current Administration officials, including Secretary Pompeo, Acting Secretary Shanahan and Commander of the United States Central Command, General Votel, have routinely emphasized that United States military forces remain in Iraq at the invitation of the Government of Iraq and in respect to its sovereignty. Recent presidential administrations have maintained that the 2002 AUMF only serves to ``reinforce'' any legal authority to combat ISIS provided by the 2001 AUMF and is not independently required to authorize any such activities. As such, repealing the 1991 AUMF and the 2002 AUMF would not affect ongoing United States military operations. It would however, prevent the future misuse of the Gulf and Iraq War authorizations and strengthen Congressional oversight over war powers.

It is past time to repeal both AUMFs and formally mark the end of the Iraq War that resulted in a devastating loss of life and wounded tens of thousands of our troops. It makes no sense that two AUMFs remain in place against a country that is now a close ally. They serve no operational purpose, run the risk of future abuse by the President, and help keep our nation at permanent war.

I am proud to join Senator Young in introducing a bill to repeal these outdated and unnecessary authorizations. I hope we can continue to find bipartisan compromise on these tough war power issues to include revising and replacing the 2001 AUMF.

Mr. President, I rise and want to compliment my colleague from Oregon for putting on the table the

need for this body--the greatest deliberative body in the world--to deliberate upon a situation of grave importance to the world--the reality of climate change and what we as American leaders can do to tackle it. I will take the floor to talk about this in the coming days.

Mr. President, our Nation's continued economic progress and the social mobility of our citizens are contingent on the education and skills of the American workforce and its ability to adjust and fulfill the needs of the 21st century economy. Career and technical education (CTE) programs are an essential piece of every student's education, providing them access to the important knowledge, skills, and credentials needed to obtain careers in rapidly growing, high- demand fields. Today, approximately 12.2 million students across the Nation are enrolled in CTE programs offered by thousands of career academies, comprehensive high schools, CTE high schools, community colleges, and CTE centers. Through intentionally designed applied learning, these students gain workplace skills and technical training that mirror in-demand positions in the workforce.

In the coming decade, a projected 3 million skilled workers will be needed to fill infrastructure positions in the United States, including jobs related to designing, building, and operating transportation, housing, telecommunication, and utilities facilities. CTE programs intentionally match employability skills with workforce demands, lowering the probability of students dropping out of high school and increasing their likelihood of graduating on time. These skills-based training programs will help fill the estimated 30 million U.S. jobs available with an average income annual income of $55,000 that do not require a bachelor's degree yet necessitate some level of postsecondary education.

Across Virginia, I hear from manufacturers frustrated by the shortage of qualified skilled production employees--roles that require the training and instruction provided in CTE classrooms. It is essential that we elevate the important role of CTE in the country's ability to meet the interconnected challenges of economic development, student achievement, and global competitiveness. Last year, Congress affirmed the importance of CTE by passing the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act which supports CTE programs in secondary and postsecondary education.

Today, with my Senate CTE Caucus co-chairs Senator Portman, Senator Baldwin, and Senator Young and 47 colleagues in the Senate, I am pleased to introduce a bipartisan resolution to designate February as Career and Technical Education (CTE) month. CTE Month encourages students, parents, counselors, educators, and school leaders to learn more about the diverse educational opportunities offered in their communities, and recognize the valuable role of CTE in developing a well-educated and highly skilled workforce in the United States.

By formally recognizing CTE Month through this resolution, it is our aim to raise greater awareness of the importance of improving access to high-quality CTE for millions of America's students and our nation's ongoing economic competitiveness.

Mr. President, today I introduced the End Shutdowns Act. Enacting this bill would go a long way towards avoiding the pain and suffering caused to families from government shutdowns, such as the recent 35 day partial shutdown.

I have been outspoken against President Trump's use of a government shutdown as a negotiating tactic, and--in an effort to take away that option in the future--this bill would initiate an automatic continuing resolution on October 1 if no appropriations bill is passed by that date. The legislation would then stop the Senate from moving forward with any other legislation, outside of an emergency scenario, until Congress reached an agreement on a long-term spending deal.

I am advocating for my colleagues to consider supporting this bill, especially those negotiating on the current spending bills set to expire February 15, to include legislation to prevent future shutdowns in any bipartisan deal reached by that deadline.

Mr. President, today I introduced the End Shutdowns Act. Enacting this bill would go a long way towards avoiding the pain and suffering caused to families from government shutdowns, such as the recent 35 day partial shutdown.

I have been outspoken against President Trump's use of a government shutdown as a negotiating tactic, and--in an effort to take away that option in the future--this bill would initiate an automatic continuing resolution on October 1 if no appropriations bill is passed by that date. The legislation would then stop the Senate from moving forward with any other legislation, outside of an emergency scenario, until Congress reached an agreement on a long-term spending deal.

I am advocating for my colleagues to consider supporting this bill, especially those negotiating on the current spending bills set to expire February 15, to include legislation to prevent future shutdowns in any bipartisan deal reached by that deadline.

Mr. President, this bill authorizes additions to two existing wilderness areas within the George Washington National Forest in Bath County, Virginia. This text represents years of negotiation and compromise among Virginia stakeholders who rely in different ways on the GW Forest.

In many parts of America, Federal land management is controversial. Some may view these lands as repositories for timber, energy, or minerals. Others may enjoy using recreational trails through them. Others may believe that they should be left to nature and not disturbed. The truth, of course, is that all of these uses are important; the conflict lies in agreeing on which lands are best suited to which purposes.

In the lead-up to the latest multi-year GW Forest Management Plan, various forest users came together to see if they could find reasonable compromises that would avoid years of unproductive disagreement and litigation. This group, known as the George Washington National Forest Stakeholder Collaborative, succeeded. Through hard work and consensus, the Collaborative made joint recommendations to the U.S. Forest Service for forest management and protection. Preservation advocates consented to timber harvest and other active forest restoration and management in certain areas, while forest products interests consented to wilderness and light management in other areas. Following this fruitful collaboration, the Forest Service convened the Lower Cowpasture Restoration and Management Project, bringing together the Collaborative and other stakeholders to help develop management activities on this particular part of the Forest in Bath County. Again, this collaborative succeeded, with everyone getting some of what they want and giving some ground.

The Collaborative has now come together to support the wilderness additions in this bill, which designates 4,500

acres to be added to the Rich Hole Wilderness Area and 1,000 acres to be added to the Rough Mountain Wilderness Area. I am proud to partner on this with my colleague Senator Mark Warner, and we are following in the path blazed by Senator John Warner and Representative Rick Boucher, who led the original Virginia Wilderness Act in 1984.

Taking care of our Nation's public lands is good for the economy and good for the environment. Land disputes may often be contentious, but this example proves they don't have to be. When everyone comes to the table and invests the necessary time, we can find common ground. I hope this will be a lesson for us in other tough policy challenges, and I encourage the Senate to support this bill.

Mr. President, this bill authorizes additions to two existing wilderness areas within the George Washington National Forest in Bath County, Virginia. This text represents years of negotiation and compromise among Virginia stakeholders who rely in different ways on the GW Forest.

In many parts of America, Federal land management is controversial. Some may view these lands as repositories for timber, energy, or minerals. Others may enjoy using recreational trails through them. Others may believe that they should be left to nature and not disturbed. The truth, of course, is that all of these uses are important; the conflict lies in agreeing on which lands are best suited to which purposes.

In the lead-up to the latest multi-year GW Forest Management Plan, various forest users came together to see if they could find reasonable compromises that would avoid years of unproductive disagreement and litigation. This group, known as the George Washington National Forest Stakeholder Collaborative, succeeded. Through hard work and consensus, the Collaborative made joint recommendations to the U.S. Forest Service for forest management and protection. Preservation advocates consented to timber harvest and other active forest restoration and management in certain areas, while forest products interests consented to wilderness and light management in other areas. Following this fruitful collaboration, the Forest Service convened the Lower Cowpasture Restoration and Management Project, bringing together the Collaborative and other stakeholders to help develop management activities on this particular part of the Forest in Bath County. Again, this collaborative succeeded, with everyone getting some of what they want and giving some ground.

The Collaborative has now come together to support the wilderness additions in this bill, which designates 4,500

acres to be added to the Rich Hole Wilderness Area and 1,000 acres to be added to the Rough Mountain Wilderness Area. I am proud to partner on this with my colleague Senator Mark Warner, and we are following in the path blazed by Senator John Warner and Representative Rick Boucher, who led the original Virginia Wilderness Act in 1984.

Taking care of our Nation's public lands is good for the economy and good for the environment. Land disputes may often be contentious, but this example proves they don't have to be. When everyone comes to the table and invests the necessary time, we can find common ground. I hope this will be a lesson for us in other tough policy challenges, and I encourage the Senate to support this bill.

Mr. President, for Democrats, antipathy to the President is not the issue. The issue is antipathy to shutting down the government.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak for up to 10 minutes.

The issue isn't antipathy to the President. It is that Democrats don't believe in shutting down government.

I appreciate my colleague from South Dakota stating the issue the way he did at the beginning of his talk: Democrats will not engage in negotiations to reopen the government.

Let's be plain. Democrats think the Government of the United States should never close. Democrats think that using a shutdown as leverage to get something else is illegitimate and beneath the oath of office. The President, on the other hand, said that he is proud to shut government down and is willing to use the suffering of more than 800,000 employees and millions of American citizens to get his way.

The difference here is not on the immigration topics; there are differences that can be resolved. But the difference that is hard to resolve is a President and a party that believe in government shutdowns and a party that rejects the idea of government shutdowns.

I will state complete willingness to negotiate with this President and my colleagues over border security. We--8 Democrats, 8 Republicans--introduced a proposal in February with border security investments, protections for Dreamers; 46 out of 49 of Democrats supported a $25 billion border security investment, and only 8 of 51 Republicans did. The President blew up the deal.

So the issue is not about negotiation over border security. We have been a more reliable party in making border security investments than the majority party has been. The issue is this: Is it or is it not illegitimate to shut down the government of the greatest Nation on Earth and inflict needless pain on hundreds of thousands of workers and millions of citizens when you don't get your way? That is what is at stake.

Is the proposal that is on the table offered by the President a ``compromise''? If it were a compromise, the President would have talked to us about it. If it were a compromise, the majority would let us offer amendments about it. If it were a compromise, the majority would have had a hearing about it so that we could have asked questions about it.

Introducing a 1,200-page bill on Tuesday and calling a vote on Thursday and giving Democrats no opportunity to ask questions or propose amendments is not a compromise. It is my way or the highway. What we should be doing to show that we respect the President's proposal is referring it to the committee of origin, having committee hearings and markup next week, and putting it on the floor the following week. If the President means it as a compromise, he should allow the Democratic Party--minority here and majority in the House--to have an opportunity to shape it.

It is my hope that my Republican colleagues will vote to reopen government this afternoon, through February 8, so that we would use next week to have a committee process to consider the President's proposal and the following week consider it on the floor. These are important enough topics that it would seem giving it a 2-week review by committee and by Senators on the floor is not asking too much.

Briefly, before yielding to my colleague from Missouri, I will say that I just returned from Reagan National Airport, where I met with air traffic controllers, TSA agents, airline safety specialists who maintain the radar and other safety equipment at this and other airports. They talked about how this shutdown in which they are working but not being paid is starting to fray them as they are working overtime, as they are trying to get jobs when they are not working 10- hour shifts to try to cover the bills they have to cover for babysitters and rent and medical appointments. They are talking about the degradation of the safety of American air traffic because of air traffic controllers not being paid, TSA agents not being paid, airline safety specialists not being paid and, in some instances, furloughed. If nothing else, we should care about the safety of commercial aviation. That is one reason, among many, that we should end the shutdown.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, today is day 34 of the longest shutdown of government in United States history. We must end this shutdown. We must reopen government right away. Today, I want to talk about legislation that would provide some assistance to the Federal workers who are suffering from this unnecessary shutdown, the Emergency Relief for Federal Workers Act of 2019.

Tomorrow, 800,000 Federal workers who work hard and just want to serve their Nation will not receive a paycheck. They have not received a paycheck since December 28th, 2018. However, more than 400,000 hold positions so essential to our Nation that they must go to work regardless of their pay status.

Thus shutdown hurts these workers. I have talked about the personal stories of Virginians who serve our Nation in the Coast Guard, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Forest Service. This shutdown means families that have jobs cannot pay their mortgages or rent. They cannot buy food to feed their families. They cannot afford to refill prescriptions critical to the health of their children. This shutdown threatens Federal workers with financial ruin. Again, we must reopen the government immediately.

We have passed legislation to provide retroactive pay to these workers when the shutdown ends, but we do not know when that will happen. So today, I am pleased to be joined by my colleagues to introduce the Emergency Relief for Federal Workers Act. This legislation would allow federal employees who are in desperate financial straits directly because of this shutdown to borrow from what is, for many, their largest financial asset, their retirement account.

This legislation would allow Federal workers in the Thrift Savings Plan to access their savings without immediate penalty to meet the financial hardships caused by the government shutdown. It would allow them to pay for basic necessities during the shutdown and allow them to replenish their savings after the shutdown ends.

I do not know how much longer 800,000 families will have to wait to be made whole after this manufactured crisis. And I do not advocate irresponsibly borrowing from retirement savings. But I believe we must act to help the people who make our federal government function in this time of need they are in through no fault of their own.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Thank you, Mr. President.

Mr. President, today is day 34 of the longest shutdown of government in United States history. We must end this shutdown. We must reopen government right away. Today, I want to talk about legislation that would provide some assistance to the Federal workers who are suffering from this unnecessary shutdown, the Emergency Relief for Federal Workers Act of 2019.

Tomorrow, 800,000 Federal workers who work hard and just want to serve their Nation will not receive a paycheck. They have not received a paycheck since December 28th, 2018. However, more than 400,000 hold positions so essential to our Nation that they must go to work regardless of their pay status.

Thus shutdown hurts these workers. I have talked about the personal stories of Virginians who serve our Nation in the Coast Guard, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Forest Service. This shutdown means families that have jobs cannot pay their mortgages or rent. They cannot buy food to feed their families. They cannot afford to refill prescriptions critical to the health of their children. This shutdown threatens Federal workers with financial ruin. Again, we must reopen the government immediately.

We have passed legislation to provide retroactive pay to these workers when the shutdown ends, but we do not know when that will happen. So today, I am pleased to be joined by my colleagues to introduce the Emergency Relief for Federal Workers Act. This legislation would allow federal employees who are in desperate financial straits directly because of this shutdown to borrow from what is, for many, their largest financial asset, their retirement account.

This legislation would allow Federal workers in the Thrift Savings Plan to access their savings without immediate penalty to meet the financial hardships caused by the government shutdown. It would allow them to pay for basic necessities during the shutdown and allow them to replenish their savings after the shutdown ends.

I do not know how much longer 800,000 families will have to wait to be made whole after this manufactured crisis. And I do not advocate irresponsibly borrowing from retirement savings. But I believe we must act to help the people who make our federal government function in this time of need they are in through no fault of their own.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Thank you, Mr. President.